William E. Fetters

William “Bill” Earnest Fetters, 90 years old, of Decatur, passed peacefully on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Clermont Mercy Hospital in Batavia, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Manchester on May 12, 1926, the son of the late Charles and Retta (Doyle) Fetters, whom he lost at a young age. He was preceded in death by his beloved foster parents, George and Lillie (Fry) Vance. The youngest of seven siblings, Bill was preceded in death by three brothers: Orville “David”, Wilbur and Jullis “Jude” Fetters; three sisters: Gladys Carrington, Mildred Claypool and Eleanor Prather and one grandchild, Ronald W. Hughes. Bill was also preceded in death by his endearing wife of 37 years, Shirley Y. Fetters whom he happily married on June 10, 1970.
Bill is survived by his first wife, Lore E. (Swearingen) McClease and their three beautiful children: Deatra Pistole, Roxanne (Ronnie) Hughes and Billy Joe Fetters;
10 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
He owned and operated his Dairy and Tobacco Farms for 63 years from 1944-2007 as well as Bill’s Dry Cleaners for 25 years from 1956-1981. He was a Veteran of the United States Army, PFC serving in WWII from 1944-1946, and Life Member D.A.V. and a member of the American Legion Post 180 in Georgetown.
Bill was a talented musician alongside his wife and friends. He had a love for cars and motorcycles as well as his impressive cowboy boot collection. Bill was always “dressed to the nine”. Though our hearts ache dearly for this man built of courage and strength, they are also flooded with tears of joy that our beloved Daddy/Dad and Papaw will no longer feel pain but instead be free to Rest In Peace, hand in hand with his love, Shirley.
Visitation is Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 5- 8 pm at the Lafferty Funeral Home in West Union. The funeral service is Friday, June 24 at 11 a.m. with Reverend Rodney Brewer officiating. Burial will follow at the Decatur Cemetery with a Military Service conducted by the Adams County Honor Guard.
“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes unto us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.” – John Wayne 1971